Abstract

PAVAO, S.L.; SILVA, F.P.S.  and  ROCHA, N.A.C.. The effect of in-home instruction on the functional performance of children with special needs. Motri. [online]. 2011, vol.7, n.1, pp.21-29. ISSN 1646-107X.

Children with special needs are known to have neurosensorymotor disorders that lead to both difficulties and limitations in their functionality and social participation. The care provided by caregivers to these children may reduce such limitations improving participation. The purpose of the present study was to verify the effect of in-home instruction on the functional performance of children with special needs during their daily activities. Thirty-one caregivers of children were randomly divided into two groups: Instructed (IG, n = 17) and Control (CG, n = 14). Both groups were submitted to the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) at baseline and after three months. The IG received individualized in-home instruction over this three-month period on how to bathe, change clothes, feed and carry the child with special needs. The PEDI evaluation revealed that IG significantly increased PEDI score in the self-care and social function on the functional skills scale as well as in the self-care on the caregiver assistance scale. Individualized in-home instruction to caregivers is suggested to be effective in improving the level of independence of children with special needs in the self-care and social function in the PEDI. This is a simple and effective intervention with the family.

Keywords : instruction; caregivers; functional performance; children; PEDI.

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